Skookum Maru

[cstevens]

Demolition is always disheartening, but you know the capabilities of your guy and it sounds like Mark is a good one! So at least you know that the light at the end of the tunnel is NOT an oncoming train

Yes, Mark is excellent and a really good guy. I've known him for going on twenty five years now and I trust his work completely. I have no doubt that things will go back together just fine.

Looks good Chris, it’s cleaned up nicely and looks like a pretty straight forward repair.

Thanks Jim. I agree, but I'm also happy to leave this one to a professional. It's well into the category of "I could probably do that, given enough time, but I'd rather spend the time boating". Plus "enough time" in this case is rather open ended. I could easily see spending the entire summer (or longer) doing the job myself and I have plenty of other projects on the boat to keep me busy.

Glad you are getting Mark started, should be ready for the season in time. I just discovered a suspicious black streak on Snoose’s port bow shear plank. I hadn’t intended to haul this year after an extensive one last year. Don’t know if I can find someone to work on this at my slip at Shilshole, I’m envious that you got into Mark’s shed schedule.

Ouch. If you talk to Mark now you might be able to get in once he's done with Skookum Maru? I don't know if he has anything else lined up yet. But I agree, that doesn't sound like an in-the-slip-at-Shilshole repair. I'd say we could swap slips and you could do it at Stimson but I think they would frown on it as well. They are pretty strict about any work beyond the edge of the deck.

[cstevens]

More progress...





New beam shelf section and blocking in place. A little fitting work to do and then it will get all fastened together. Some surgical repair to the pilothouse corner is next. Ultimately the job will include replacing the plywood outer cabin face as well. The cabin face extends below the deck but, fortuitously, there is a horizontal seam in the panel about 8" up from the deck and the wood seems good below that seam so we only need to replace the upper piece. Then it will be on to the starboard side, which I expect will need much the same repair, and finally stripping the fiberglass off the cabin top and reglassing. And then paint. Done before June I hope...

[Canoeyawl]

I have converted several old vehicles to 12v from 6 and the fuel gauge was never an issue.
On those that I've done it's just a switch...
(Heater fan motors unless it's a squirrel cage are not too difficult to source, you could always use a resistor)

[cstevens]

I have converted several old vehicles to 12v from 6 and the fuel gauge was never an issue.
On those that I've done it's just a switch...
(Heater fan motors unless it's a squirrel cage are not too difficult to source, you could always use a resistor)

Ah, but the problem in this case isn't the voltage swap, it's that they weren't working before. When I bought the truck the wiring was completely perished and nothing worked. I've rewired most of it but I didn't get to those two things. For now I just fill the tank every weekend and freeze. Even more since it has no turn signals so I drive with the window down for hand signals. I tell myself that it builds character...

[Garret]

You're not enough of a character already?

Before you attempt to deny - computer/software guy who has a wood boat & drives a Studebaker pickup. If that doesn't fit the definition of "character" nothing does.

[Mike.Higgins.94301]

Hand signals ? Do you have a large-print instruction sheet fastened to the tailgate ?

Now THAT is both funny and true

[cstevens]

You're not enough of a character already?

Before you attempt to deny - computer/software guy who has a wood boat & drives a Studebaker pickup. If that doesn't fit the definition of "character" nothing does.

Oh, yeah. I suppose that's true enough! Although I will confess that the only reason that I'm driving the Studebaker regularly is that my wife's Audi A3 died in December (coolant in the oil) and we haven't figured out what to replace it with so she's driving my Audi Allroad for now. Of course what I want to get instead is a British Racing Green 1967 MGB GT rather than something practical like another Audi, so I guess the shoe still fits.

Hand signals ? Do you have a large-print instruction sheet fastened to the tailgate ?

Now THAT is both funny and true

Ha! Yeah, that's legitimately hilarious, because true. Who knows car hand signals any more? I figure I'm keeping a dying art alive. An obscure language only known to old guys and bicyclists. Although Lucky Truck does have brake lights at least, so I don't have to use the "stopping" signal.

There are still pockets of old vehicle knowledge around though. I took the truck to our local Les Schawb store to have new tires mounted a few days ago. I was sure they would be completely incapable of dealing with its idiosyncrasies - three on the tree, manual choke, etc. - and would need me to stay and move it around for them. But no, the guy behind the counter assured me that they would have no problems with it and so it turned out.

[Garret]

Bummer on the A3. Might be just a head gasket?

Just to assist (or that enable?):

https://classiccars.com/listings/vie...rabant-5145-na

It is a 66 though - but it's got overdrive.

[Hugh MacD]

MMMMM...B-GT Fun choice I have a roadster and love it. I also still have my old Spitfire, but my knees don't bend well enough to get in any longer...and it's still in (dilapidated) race trim. Hope to start work on that this summer

[cstevens]

Bummer on the A3. Might be just a head gasket?

Just to assist (or that enable?):

https://classiccars.com/listings/vie...rabant-5145-na

It is a 66 though - but it's got overdrive.

I've been drooling over that BGT in the Netherlands for weeks now. It's almost perfect, although I'd prefer a wire wheel car. There is this one in Atlanta as well, for similar money and with a Ford T9 five speed conversion:

https://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/v...2237/1967-MG-B

But I'm having a hard time getting over the idea of paying over $30k for an MGB. That's solidly into driver-quality Alfa Romeo GTV territory and edging into Porsche 912 budget. I'm also talking to a kid in California about a red one for half the money. It has some issues and will never be as nice as either of those two cars but I'm going to drive this car every day and park it on the street so I'm not sure that I want one that is too nice. But the kid wants way too much for that car, as confirmed by talking with a former owner who works for a restoration shop. Decisions...

As for the A3, yes I expect that it just needed a head gasket. But that would be on top of the clutch replacement that we did last year, which is on top of the CV joints that we did the year before, etc., etc. I just got tired of spending $3,000 a year for maintenance on a $2,500 car. The head gasket was the last straw. So we donated it and instead of spending the money to fix it one more time I spent the same money on new tires and a 12v conversion for the truck. Which is not even remotely as practical as the A3 but is vastly more fun.

MMMMM...B-GT Fun choice I have a roadster and love it. I also still have my old Spitfire, but my knees don't bend well enough to get in any longer...and it's still in (dilapidated) race trim. Hope to start work on that this summer

Ah, now vintage car racing is something that I would love to do some day. But my fantasy is a vintage Formula Ford. Which seem still surprisingly affordable, at least for something that can run around at the back of the pack and scare you a little in the fast corners. Which would be fine with me. Racing to win is fun but it gets expensive fast!

[Garret]

I get the $ for the GT. Here's a regualar B (rubber bumper though) near you I just noticed on eBay. $7K might be more affordable & it has an aftermarket hardtop:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30479601122...&segname=11021

[Alan71]

Hello Chris,

AAH, A3!

I bought the first A3 Sportback that our local Audi dealer had. I'd been waiting for it to make an appearance in the U.S. .
I loved that car. It went to someone I know with a 140,000 miles on it it 2013.

I'd ordered a TTS that I love even more.
I was concerned about it not being a 6-speed manual but found the dual-clutch, sequential shift transmission, to be pretty interesting.
Only 36,000 miles in a little less than 10 years. I drive it just a few times a month since I retired in 2015.
When I uncover it in the garage it still surprises me with it's good (TMI) looks.
Folks ask what it is since there are so few around. It's possible they've never seen one.

Regards,
Alan

3E3E9349-94A1-4638-8649-17B1E1D2BFA6_1_201_a.jpg

[Rumars]

For now I just fill the tank every weekend and freeze. Even more since it has no turn signals so I drive with the window down for hand signals. I tell myself that it builds character...

Stop building character, there's no need for it: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intellige...erId=101087374
As for the fuel gauge, it's really simple, reset the trip odometer if you have one, if not, write down the number. Believe me, you get used to it when your car comes with a factory supplied dipstick.

[cstevens]

I get the $ for the GT. Here's a regualar B (rubber bumper though) near you I just noticed on eBay. $7K might be more affordable & it has an aftermarket hardtop:

I'd love to find a car for under $10k but I expect I'm going to end up somewhere north of that number. The rubber bumper cars have had something of a rehabilitation in the last few years but I have never been able to love them. Still, I have to admit that's a pretty handsome car even if it's not what I'm after.

Hello Chris,

AAH, A3!

I bought the first A3 Sportback that our local Audi dealer had. I'd been waiting for it to make an appearance in the U.S. .
I loved that car. It went to someone I know with a 140,000 miles on it it 2013.

I'd ordered a TTS that I love even more.
I was concerned about it not being a 6-speed manual but found the dual-clutch, sequential shift transmission, to be pretty interesting.
Only 36,000 miles in a little less than 10 years. I drive it just a few times a month since I retired in 2015.
When I uncover it in the garage it still surprises me with it's good (TMI) looks.
Folks ask what it is since there are so few around. It's possible they've never seen one.

Regards,
Alan

Cheers Alan! I also was impressed with the A3 Sportback when it first came to the US. We bought ours in 2009. It was black with a tan interior (my wife's favorite color combination) and had the 6 speed manual box. We both loved driving it but after 14 years it is time to move on. I like the TTS too, but my wife is not a fan of the styling. If we get another modern car it would probably be a Porsche Macan but I'm holding out for something vintage.

Stop building character, there's no need for it: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intellige...erId=101087374
As for the fuel gauge, it's really simple, reset the trip odometer if you have one, if not, write down the number. Believe me, you get used to it when your car comes with a factory supplied dipstick.

Hey, I hadn't thought about wireless turn signals. Those would work but they are hardly period-correct. Something like this would be a bit more appropriate:




Someday I'll get a set of those and wire them up with a period aftermarket column switch. In the meantime I'm happy to make hand signals. Even if most of the time people just wave back at me... As for tracking fuel, I used to use exactly the system that you recommend but the speedometer and odometer died a few months back making it impossible to track mileage. I haven't had a chance to track down the problem yet. Could be the cable, could be the gauge.

[Rumars]

There were period correct ones but they seem to have disappeared. Right now all I can find are these, a little less ugly ones (maybe a chrome spray paint will help). https://swifthitch.com/collections/s...s-for-trailers

If the odometer is dead (ruptured cable more then likely), the next method is time. You work out the approximate gal/h consumption then start the on-board cronometer every time you drive. Strap an old wristwatch to the steering wheel, or use your phone. I'm sure by now someone has even made an app to tell you how much time you spend in the car. Of course you can also develop a routine to fill her up every monday, but that doesn't work on longer drives.
Just to stay old school, there are still watches with bezel calculators for fuel consumption, time, etc.

[_QB_]

Y'all entertaining a descent into the realm of Lucas, Prince of Darkness, and no love for the E-Type Jag, prettiest of the lot?

And why this lust for coupes? Roadster or GTFO, people. And no whining about Seattle weather! These are British cars fer cryin out loud.

[Garret]

Y'all entertaining a descent into the realm of Lucas, Prince of Darkness, and no love for the E-Type Jag, prettiest of the lot?

And why this lust for coupes? Roadster or GTFO, people. And no whining about Seattle weather! These are British cars fer cryin out loud.

You're implying it occasionally rains in the UK?

Lucas is fine, as long as you carry a spare set of points, a condenser, & a coil in the glovebox. What else would it be for? Oh right - some silicone spray for the ignition wires & cap.

[_QB_]

You're implying it occasionally rains in the UK?.

Yes, and that is why British roadsters will keep you somewhat dryer with the top up. Usually.

[cstevens]

Y'all entertaining a descent into the realm of Lucas, Prince of Darkness, and no love for the E-Type Jag, prettiest of the lot?

And why this lust for coupes? Roadster or GTFO, people. And no whining about Seattle weather! These are British cars fer cryin out loud.

I was thinking about it, and realized that I've owned American, Japanese, German, Italian and Swedish cars, but have somehow never owned a British vehicle before, despite a long family history with the things. My mother learned to drive in my dad's Jaguar XK120. Legend also has it that she ran it into a wall... And my grandfather had a string of British sports cars - MGs and Austin-Healeys - including at one time this cracking Lester MG PB Special that he imported from England in the 1970s. (I do think "cracking" is the proper adjective here - I absolutely loved this car when I was a kid).




(Photo by Steve McKelvie)

However I am looking forward to the full British car experience, Lucas electrics and all. Although at one time I did have a 1966 Maserati Sebring that featured Lucas fuel injection and fuel pumps. That system was developed for the Jaguar D-Type and was both fantastically complex and fantastically expensive to service. I ended up replacing it with triple Weber DCOE carburetors and was much happier after that.

As for the Jaguar E-Type... That is one of my all-time favorite cars. Just sublime. I may have E-Type dreams but I have an MGB bank account so that's what I'm looking for now. And a coupe because I like coupes. I've had convertibles as well, including this 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Spider which was restored by my grandfather:



The wind-in-your hair thing is fun and bracing, but to be honest I think coupes are almost always better looking than roadsters, the MGB and the fabulous E-Type included (leaving aside the somewhat unfortunately-proportioned E-Type 2+2). That's a personal preference of course - others may reasonably disagree. And coupes were more frequently raced in period, so I associate them with performance more than the open top versions. Plus I think I got enough weather riding motorcycles in my 20s and 30s and bicycles in my 40s so I don't need to experience any more of it than necessary in my 50s.

On that topic I have an amusing (to me at least) anecdote about motorcycles, convertibles, and weather. Up until I was in my mid-twenties I owned only motorcycles, and rode them in every sort of weather, including snow up to a point. One frigid, damp Seattle morning - the sort where it feels like it's going to snow but hasn't quite decided to yet - I was riding down I-5 when I passed a guy driving an MG Midget with the top down. My first thought was "Damn that looks cold!" My second thought was "That was a hilariously dumb thing to think - you are the one riding a motorcycle!"

You're implying it occasionally rains in the UK?

Lucas is fine, as long as you carry a spare set of points, a condenser, & a coil in the glovebox. What else would it be for? Oh right - some silicone spray for the ignition wires & cap.

Yes, and that is why British roadsters will keep you somewhat dryer with the top up. Usually.

You know they make electronic ignitions nowadays, right? No one has to mess with points unless they really want to. I usually carry nothing more than a few basic tools and a really big jump pack. But I'll share one more story on the topic of points. It involves the Maserati Sebring so here's a photo of that car. Mostly because I never get tired of looking at it, although I could never afford to own one any more.



How I came to own that car is a great story of its own, but more to the point(s), it had some interesting features that were inherited from the twin cam six cylinder engine's heritage powering Maserati racing cars, including twin plugs per cylinder, two coils, two sets of points... basically two of everything that could go wrong in the ignition system. Like this.



One day my then-girlfriend and now wife Victoria and I were out driving it on a lovely spring Seattle day, as one does when one is young and has no obligations other than to drive a beautiful car in the sun. Only to have the car suddenly fail to proceed. We pulled over to the side of the road and I opened the hood and stared at the engine for a bit. It had always been remarkably reliable so I had gotten complacent and had left the house without any tools at all so I was at a stand - what to do?

We had plenty of gas, and I was reasonably certain that the fuel system was working fine because I had completely rebuilt it - tanks, hoses, pumps, filters, everything - when I installed the carburetors. That left the ignition. The amazingly complex, dual-everything, ignition. Where to start? The heart of the whole thing was the Marelli distributor, with its maze of spark plug wires, $800.00 (if you could find one) no-longer-available distributor cap, and not one but two sets of everything inside that could go wrong. Always go for the most complex bit first, I thought, as it's likely the source of a problem. So I popped the distributor cap off and poked around. And found that one of the sets of points had moved on its shaft and was not opening at all. Points not opening meant no spark. No spark meant no joy from the big six. But, foolishly, I had no tools so I could not solve this entirely simple problem. Argh!

Casting about for a way out of my own mess, I saw that we were parked a block or so away from a 7-Eleven store. I thought there was just a chance that they would have some sort of screwdriver that we could use to fix the problem. So Tory walked down the road to see what she could find while I stayed with the car. A few minutes later she came back with what tools were available. It was the cheapest sort of no-name screwdriver, pliers and adjustable wrench set imaginable. Utterly worthless. But I was able to use it to open the points again and gap them by eye just accurately enough to get us home again.

So there you go. Lucas ignitions don't scare me much after dealing with the Italian variety!

[MattGER]

You love boating? And British cars?

Then there is only one way to go imho ;-)

[Garret]

Having owned many British cars & some Italian ones, I have to agree that Italian electrics are a pretty good training course for British. The real joy in British electrics is when you have an old car with cloth insulation where the colors have all faded to a dull brown.

Your comments on coupes vs. roadsters perfectly 'splains why we have the different types: different strokes for different folks!

[cstevens]

You love boating? And British cars?

Then there is only one way to go imho ;-)

Ah, yes. A Series II or Series III 109" Land Rover is absolutely in my dream garage. My wife thinks they are silly for someone who lives in a city and doesn't own a sheep farm, and she's right, but they are far and away the most evocative go-anywhere vehicle on the planet. Make mine olive green please.

Having owned many British cars & some Italian ones, I have to agree that Italian electrics are a pretty good training course for British. The real joy in British electrics is when you have an old car with cloth insulation where the colors have all faded to a dull brown.

Your comments on coupes vs. roadsters perfectly 'splains why we have the different types: different strokes for different folks!

Absolutely Garret. And my dad would certainly agree with you in his preference for the open cars over tin tops. But then I prefer station wagons to saloons too so I'm strange anyway.

The fixed-head coupe E was several mph faster, quieter, stronger, and to many eyes, better-looking than the drop-head ...

Indeed. My thoughts exactly!

[Garret]

Ha! I'd rather have a wagon than a sedan - so it seems I'm possibly stranger than you. Not that this is a contest of course...

[cstevens]

Well, if we're gonna talk strange ...

I have never been, am not now, and will never be cool enough to drive the Harold and Maude E-Type Hearse. But if we are talking about movie cars that get destroyed on camera then my all-time favorite will always be the Lamborghini Miura from the opening credits of The Italian Job. I'm sure I've watched that driving sequence a hundred times, and could watch it a thousand times more. An orange Miura, Matt Munroe on the sound track, Italian Alps, wrap around sunglasses.... I will also never be that cool but I can aspire to it.

[AJZimm]

Casting about for a way out of my own mess, I saw that we were parked a block or so away from a 7-Eleven store. I thought there was just a chance that they would have some sort of screwdriver that we could use to fix the problem. So Tory walked down the road to see what she could find while I stayed with the car. A few minutes later she came back with what tools were available. It was the cheapest sort of no-name screwdriver, pliers and adjustable wrench set imaginable. Utterly worthless. But I was able to use it to open the points again and gap them by eye just accurately enough to get us home again.

I had a similar experience about 40 years, but with a friend's car, a VW Rabbit. We were on a road trip to a hunting area. It was night, a long way from the nearest town and the car started first hesitating, losing power, then stopped. My friend, who knew nothing about cars, was both mystified and upset because had just had the car serviced. I did the usual routine - fuel first and if it isn't fuel it's likely electrics. I finally spotted that the points in the distributor had no gap. He had enough tools that I was able to set the gap by eye. Problem solved, we carried on, only to have the car die again a hundred miles or so down the highway. Points closed again. WTF? I then realized that when the garage had replaced the points, they hadn't greased the follower, so that the distributor shaft was wearing away the follower and effectively closing the points. I swiped a little grease from a tie rod end, re-set the points and we had no problems after that.

[cstevens]

I had a similar experience about 40 years, but with a friend's car, a VW Rabbit. We were on a road trip to a hunting area. It was night, a long way from the nearest town and the car started first hesitating, losing power, then stopped. My friend, who knew nothing about cars, was both mystified and upset because had just had the car serviced. I did the usual routine - fuel first and if it isn't fuel it's likely electrics. I finally spotted that the points in the distributor had no gap. He had enough tools that I was able to set the gap by eye. Problem solved, we carried on, only to have the car die again a hundred miles or so down the highway. Points closed again. WTF? I then realized that when the garage had replaced the points, they hadn't greased the follower, so that the distributor shaft was wearing away the follower and effectively closing the points. I swiped a little grease from a tie rod end, re-set the points and we had no problems after that.

I love it. Amazing what a little mechanical knowledge will accomplish! While I'm fully in favor of the ongoing conversion to electric vehicles I am definitely going to miss the ability to fix little problems with a few hand tools. Of course the argument could be made that the ECU, electronic ignition, and fuel injection together have eliminated almost all of the driver-fixable problems already.

[Alan71]

Hello,
I believe in the 50s and 60s the point gap could be set using the 'cover' from the book of matches you carried, as a feeler gauge.

Alan

[hawkeye54]

Hello,
I believe in the 50s and 60s the point gap could be set using the 'cover' from the book of matches you carried, as a feeler gauge.

Alan

Alan, you are correct - (Added as an aside -) I was in Philadelphia during the Bi-Centennial, driving a Fiat 850 Spyder roadster. Every so often, the distributor cap would shatter, accompanied by a loud bang. It got to the point where I carried 3 distributor caps as spares. I could never tell if it was mechanical fault in the cap, or perhaps an ignition of blowby fumes. Months later, a huge pothole totaled the car, and it was sent to a scrapyard.



Rick

[Garret]

Hello,
I believe in the 50s and 60s the point gap could be set using the 'cover' from the book of matches you carried, as a feeler gauge.

Alan

Not only that, but the striker portion could be used to sand the points a bit to get rid of pits.

[Rumars]

Guys, the super basic emergency kit lives in a womans purse: the nail file is the perfect points adjustment tool (screwdiver, feeler gauge and double sided sander), nylon stockings (V belt replacement), lipstick (grease), nail polish (adhesive and paint chips), nail polish remover and makeup brush (carb cleaning).

Since the modern man might travel alone, I recommend you buy yourself at least a pair of stockings and a nail file, they don't take much space in the glovebox. They also fit nicely in a light bulb and fuse box, and that's the minimum spare parts kit you should carry. But, if you like old cars you should also have the period equipment and spares. Like this: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog...ory-tool-kits/

[cstevens]

Hello,
I believe in the 50s and 60s the point gap could be set using the 'cover' from the book of matches you carried, as a feeler gauge.

Alan

One can do the same trick with a folded dollar bill, and also clean and gap spark plugs. I expect I'm one of the few people my age who know these things though. One more generation and these little bits of knowledge will be entirely gone.

Alan, you are correct - (Added as an aside -) I was in Philadelphia during the Bi-Centennial, driving a Fiat 850 Spyder roadster. Every so often, the distributor cap would shatter, accompanied by a loud bang. It got to the point where I carried 3 distributor caps as spares. I could never tell if it was mechanical fault in the cap, or perhaps an ignition of blowby fumes. Months later, a huge pothole totaled the car, and it was sent to a scrapyard.



Rick

Funny, my first car - and the only convertible I have owned other than the Alfa - was a sky blue Fiat 850 Spider that I bought when I was in high school. I drove it until one of the transmission mounts rusted through, dropping the engine onto the road in one of Baltimore's nicer neighborhoods. I had the mount welded and put it back together and it ran for a while longer but it succumbed first to electrical problems, which I was too inexperienced to fix, and then to vandalism as it sat outside of our apartment. I still have a soft spot for those little cars though. Although, true to form, if I were to get another I'd rather have the coupe version.

Not only that, but the striker portion could be used to sand the points a bit to get rid of pits.

Yep.

Guys, the super basic emergency kit lives in a womans purse: the nail file is the perfect points adjustment tool (screwdiver, feeler gauge and double sided sander), nylon stockings (V belt replacement), lipstick (grease), nail polish (adhesive and paint chips), nail polish remover and makeup brush (carb cleaning).

Since the modern man might travel alone, I recommend you buy yourself at least a pair of stockings and a nail file, they don't take much space in the glovebox. They also fit nicely in a light bulb and fuse box, and that's the minimum spare parts kit you should carry. But, if you like old cars you should also have the period equipment and spares. Like this: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog...ory-tool-kits/

Those tool kits are fantastic Rumars. I had a 1972 Mercedes 250c coupe for a while that still had the factory toolkit. Not quite to the quality of the 300SL toolkit on that website, mind you, but still quite nice. The Maserati didn't come with a complete toolkit but it did have an original Borrani knock off wheel hammer, which was a neat tool as well.

[Rumars]

I only used sandpaper a few times on points, afterwards I switched to a dedicated nail file. It's simply easier to manipulate, gives a better result and never runs out. I do admit loving contactless electronic ignitions, adjust once and forget.

For carb adjustments I was gifted a special sewing machine screwdriver, over a foot long with a fine parallel ground point, made the work comfortable.

The best part about factory toolkits was that the car had dedicated storage spaces or mounting points, this insured they always stayed in the car. Some cars had special gas cans available that fit into the spare tire. I have also seen replacement bulb and fuse holders under the dash. For longer tours there were also a lot of aftermarket solutions, custom shaped boxes for extended tool kits and essential spare parts.

[cstevens]

Getting closer to finding the right MGB GT. I'm going to go look at this car on Friday. It seems nice in the photos, but a buyer's inspection will tell me more. I've already passed on two others after inspection revealed serious problems that the seller was not disclosing so I'm starting to get a little jaded. However this one is reportedly a single-owner-from-new car that is rust-free (ha!) and well-maintained. It has some cosmetic issues but nothing that bothers me too much if that's all there is to find. We'll see.



But enough about cars for a bit. This is a boat forum after all. So here is some progress on the boat.







Rot removed. Beam shelf, blocking, and pilothouse corner post replaced, and templating in progress for the new cabin face plywood. There is still a lot to be done but it's good to see part of it coming back together.

[_QB_]

Getting closer to finding the right MGB GT.

Is that real BRG? Maybe it's just the color balance in the photo is off. And is there some issue with the fit of the bonnet? Looks somehow out of joint at the front.

But real knockoff wire wheels! And I'm coming around to your love of the coupe. Very nice looking car. Tooling down the Chuckanut on a sunny day you might slightly regret not having a roadster, but otherwise...

But enough about cars for a bit. This is a boat forum after all.

Oh. Right. Nice boat too.

[cstevens]

Is that real BRG? Maybe it's just the color balance in the photo is off. And is there some issue with the fit of the bonnet? Looks somehow out of joint at the front.

But real knockoff wire wheels! And I'm coming around to your love of the coupe. Very nice looking car. Tooling down the Chuckanut on a sunny day you might slightly regret not having a roadster, but otherwise...



Oh. Right. Nice boat too.

I think it's the right color Paul? I agree that it looks too bright in the photos, but I've seen several other cars in that same color and they all look too bright to me in the sun. And the bonnet is just sitting on the safety latch I think. Here's a different photo of the car that shows the bonnet fit and (maybe?) a better indication of the color.



It's not a perfect car by any means. Nowhere near the quality of the $30,000 examples in Atlanta and the Netherlands. But I'd have a hard time parking one of those on the street and driving it every day. I'd rather have an honest, presentable car with a few chips and dings so I don't have to worry about the paintwork. My fingers are crossed on this one. We'll see.